10 Health Benefits of Manuka Honey

Before heading to the ten benefits of Manuka honey, it is right to define what it is in the first place. Manuka honey can be explained as a particular honey form made by European honeybees. These bees type forage on New Zealand’s native Manuka trees thus making peculiar honey with medicinal properties. Manuka trees are part of the therapeutic and cultural aspect of the historical Maori people. So, how’s it extracted?

Honey extractors wait for the flowering season to end then boxes filled with Manuka honey are usually taken to specialized extraction facilities. After that the honey is removed and inspected thoroughly. They use a honey extractor to extract, and process the combs carefully and Voila!

Similar to other types of honey, Manuka has a high sugar content of up to 12g/15g serving. Nevertheless, it’s low in protein, fiber, and fat, containing about 0.5g. Two spoons have 49 calories with negligible salt contents. Since it’s one of the simple sugars, absorption is instantaneous to provide energy for the body. What makes it different from other types of honey is that it possesses a lot of nutritional value and antibacterial properties. It has an active ingredient known as Methylglyoxal that’s responsible for antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiviral benefits. With that, let’s dive straight to the ten health benefits of Manuka honey.

10 Health Benefits of Manuka Honey

1. Relieves Sore Throat

Lozenges depend on the power of Manuka honey to effectively soothe sore throats as well as suppress coughs. Manuka honey aids in coating the throat while attacking harmful bacteria. This contributes to relief. Its antibacterial and antiviral properties reduce inflammation in your throat.

Patients undergoing chemo treatments for neck and head cancer realized that taking Manuka honey on the common Streptococcus mutans, a bacteria type responsible for causing sore throats, immensely got some relief. Doctors found out that this bacterium decreased after the patients consumed the honey.

Moreover, Manuka also lowers hazardous oral bacteria that cause Mucositis, one of the commonest side effects of chemo and radiation. Mucositis leads to painful and inflammatory esophagus ulcerations. For a while now, Manuka has been deemed as a naturally efficient cough suppressant. Therefore if you have a cough or a sore throat, you could use Manuka as an alternative to cough syrups and suppressants. It works like magic.

2. Wound Care

You can dress burns, sores, and wounds using Manuka honey. Apart from the antimicrobial properties it possesses, Manuka can protect and moisten wounds. If topically used, the honey enhances tissue regeneration and healing. It further helps curb pain, specifically if you have burns or sores.

3. Mitigating Tooth Decay and Gum Diseases

Undoubtedly, Manuka honey attacks dangerous oral bacteria like Porphyromonas gingivalis, usually associated with teeth health problems. Taking Manuka for oral health after a meal is more effective and efficient than chewing the sugarless gums. Manuka reduces gingivitis and plaque significantly. It also helps with tooth decay and gum inflammations. Manuka honey that has high potential antibacterial activity levels inhibits the bad oral bacteria’s growth. These bacteria are inclusive of A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis.

4. Skin Treatment

Skin issues like acne are caused by hormones, bacteria growth, poor diet, amongst other factors. Manuka honey’s antimicrobial activities in unison with low pH products can fight acne effectively. It gets rid of bacteria in your skin, expediting the healing process. In addition, if you are experiencing acne inflammations, you are best advised to take Manuka honey. This is because it has anti-inflammatory properties, says Eco Peanut. However, there is extensive research going for this. Also, professionals trust manuka honey because it’s amongst the best natural moisturizers. It directly absorbs moisture from the air into the skin hence enhancing skin hydration. Besides, it treats other skin conditions like rosacea, dry skin, psoriasis, and eczema. Its moisturizing properties are also effective for hair conditioning.

5. Prevents Gastric Ulcers

The commonest illness that’s affecting people is stomach ulcers. These are sores formed on your stomach’s lining, causing bloating, nausea as well as stomach pains. H. pylori bacterium causes gastric ulcers. However, practitioners suggest that this honey may potentially treat and even prevent alcohol-induced gastric ulcers.

6. Enhances Digestive Symptoms

IBS or irritable bowel syndrome is a digestive disorder. Symptoms associated with IBS include abnormal bowel movements, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation. Interestingly, Professionals discovered that taking manuka honey frequently can lower these symptoms. The honey enhances the antioxidant status while reducing inflammations in people who have ulcerative colitis and IBS.

7. Treating Cystic Fibrosis

This is a disorder that’s inherited. It damages and affects the digestive system and lungs. Cystic fibrosis affects mucus-producing cells, making them unusually sticky and thick. The mucus clogs ducts and airways, rendering it arduous to breathe. Upper respiratory diseases are also common in people suffering from cystic fibrosis. Fortunately, Manuka honey effectively deals with the bacteria which cause upper respiratory issues and cystic fibrosis symptoms.

8. Curing Sinuses

Chronic rhinosinusitis is common in the US. Although many people opt for saline nasal sprays for treatment options, Manuka honey is way effective. Besides, it’s better to take in something sweet rather than frequently irrigating your nose. Various bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, cause sinuses. These bacteria form hard to remove colonies that are also known as biofilms. The Manuka honey has high Methylglyoxal, aka MGO, levels that do away with these biofilms.

9. Treating Diabetes

Manuka honey can suitably have therapeutic outcomes for people who have diabetes. It’s cheaper and a natural agent that has rapid capacities of healing diabetes wounds. Although it’s like any other type of sugar, manuka honey has been used for treating diabetic patients. It needs to be taken as prescribed by a doctor and consistently taken to heal diabetes wounds.

10. Cancer Prevention and Treatment

Manuka honey also possesses anticancer effects via interference with several cell signaling pathways, including antimutagenic, anti-inflammatory, apoptosis pathways. It modulates your immune system. Manuka honey has anti-carcinogenic properties interestingly; therefore, there are several ongoing research and tests for its extraordinary healing power.

Final Say

There are various ways you can take Manuka honey; it all depends on how you want. With the above health benefits of Manuka Honey, there is still ongoing research for how powerful Manuka honey can be, with little evidence produced for the conditions.   Should you plan to use Manuka Honey for your condition, you should consult your health practitioner to know any alternative or risks you can get.

References

• https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/manuka-honey-uses-benefits 
• https://health.clevelandclinic.org/manuka-honey-benefits/ 
• https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-manuka-honey 
• https://brixtonsoupkitchen.org/health-benefits-of-manuka-honey/ 
• https://www.healthyandnaturalworld.com/manuka-honey-benefits-and-uses/
• http://www.manukahealth.com/manuka-honey/